The baby’s mother was killed by poachers and her horns stolen and Kruger National Park ranger who found the calf badly injured in May this year. Sky News reported the baby rhino had a “large gash” caused by a machete on his back. Poachers also slashed at his right front foot, splitting his nail.

Photo: Care for Wild Rhino Sanctuary on Facebook

A vet stabilised the calf before he was airlifted to the nearby Care for Wild Rhino Sanctuary, the world’s largest rhino sanctuary and orphanage.

The sanctuary explained that it was instinct for the baby to stay with his mother to try and protect him. Adding: